It's a toss up. The first succulent I ever grew was either a sanseveria (common name: mother-in-law's tongue) or a crassula (jade plant). Both were given to me by my grandmother. I can't recall which was first, but it doesn't matter. I loved them both and through them I learned to love living things. They are easy to care for and fun to watch grow. The jade plant became my favorite. I pretended it was a miniature forest and set up fierce battles between cheap plastic soldiers beneath its limbs. Even today, when I see a jade plant in pot I think it's a cheater's bonsai.

The genus crassula contains more than 100 identified species. Most are versatile and easy-to-grow plants which continue to be expanded as new hybrids are introduced. Many are available at local nurseries.

Let's start with the common jade plant, Crassula ovata. I have it growing in two different locations. The one that came with the house grows around the Smart Meter and hides its ugly metalness. The other grows in half wine barrel. It came from a friend who got it from an elderly neighbor of his who was downsizing. It must be decades old as its trunk is about six inches in diameter. They bloom in January.

Crassula ovata is tender. When there's a frost alert, I haul out blankets and old towels and cover them up.

Most crassulas are native to the cape side of South Africa and not surprisingly they love the California coast. In the wild, they grow in rocky crevices, enduring both drought and monsoons. Modern cultivars have worked to emphasize leave colors and shapes. They are among the succulents you should consider for dish gardens.

Crassulas are easy to propagate simply by breaking a piece off the main plant and setting it in some loose sandy soil to rest for a week or so before you give it a drink.

They are among the most attractive succulents for dish gardens, offering seasonal flowers, attractively patterned or edged leaves, and eye-catching plant shapes.

Most crassulas do not have spines or thorns and are therefore a safe bet for high traffic areas where someone might fall into them.

Because jade plants are found in so many homes, poison control centers receive numerous calls annually regarding their toxicity. I haven't seen any specific warnings about them being poisonous and suspect that if a jade plant contained any toxins or irritants, we'd all have heard about them years ago.

Meeting

The Monterey Bay Area Cactus and Succulent Society holds its monthly pot luck, plant raffle and meeting the third Sunday of each month. The informative meetings are a great way to learn more about drought tolerant plants and the raffle is a great way to brings something home. If you plan to attend, bring an appetizer, side dish, main course, or dessert that will feed eight. Yearly membership is $15.